Annuals are a great way to bring bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard.

Fertilizing the flower beds is important in order to get maximum bloom. If the incorporated organic matter does not contain sufficient nutrients, supplemental fertilizer may be needed. The easiest fertilizer program is to use a slow release fertilizer that you apply once during the season. An example is Osmocote, an alternative is to fertilize once every two weeks with a liquid (water soluble) fertilizer. Examples are: Fertilome Hanging Basket, Fox Farm Big Bloom or Age Old Organics.

If you are into organic growing we carry a good number of organic fertilizers  for your your flower or vegetable gardens.  Age Old Organics, Tru Organics or even Fox Farm Fruit and Flower fertilizer.  Some of the organics need to be applied weekly or once a month.

The added fertilizing will help the plants thrive in our desert like conditions.  Don’t be afraid to try new varieties of annuals or fertilizers as many of the new varieties will do better than the standard fertilizers and flower.  If you want to conserve water try using a soaker hose and mulching your flower bed with rubber mulch, cedar mulch or recycled mulch. Not only will the mulch hose help with watering it will also help with weed control.

Great Annuals for Sun (just a few)

Alyssum, Marigolds, Calibrachoa, Geraniums, Agastache, and Petunias.

Annuals for Shade (just a few)

Pansies, Sweet Potato Vine, Impatients and Begonias.